Pfefferkuchen Recipe
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Pfefferkuchen

By: Inge 
"This is a German spice cookie recipe, similar to gingerbread, which I received from my mother, Sabine Muller. I have been making these for over 20 years. I looked online at other Pfefferkuchen recipes and none were like this one. I thought that I would share it with you. The literal translation is 'pepper cakes', I always ice them with a lemon glaze."

This Kitchen Approved Recipe has an average star rating of 4.4 Rate/Review | Read Reviews (11)

Prep Time:
1 Hr
Cook Time:
20 Min
Ready In:
1 Hr 20 Min

Servings  (Help)

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Original Recipe Yield 9 dozen cookies
 

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups molasses
  • 1 1/2 cups honey
  • 1 1/2 cups white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground anise seed
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
  • 1/2 cup butter, cut into pieces
  • 2 tablespoons baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 6 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour

Directions

  1. Bring molasses, honey, and sugar to a simmer in a large saucepan over medium heat, then remove from heat and allow to cool for 30 minutes.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  3. Stir in anise, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, lemon zest, and butter. Dissolve baking soda in water, then stir into the molasses mixture. Sift together 6 cups of flour with the baking powder and cocoa powder into a large bowl. Stir in molasses mixture and eggs until smooth. Stir in remaining 3 cups flour until a stiff dough has formed.
  4. Divide dough into 4 pieces to make it more manageable. Roll the dough to 1/4-inch thick on a well floured surface and cut into shapes with a cookie cutter.
  5. Bake cookies on ungreased baking sheets 8 to 10 minutes until lightly browned around the edges. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Nutritional Information open nutritional information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 86 | Total Fat: 1.1g | Cholesterol: 6mg Powered by ESHA Nutrient Database

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 view all reviews »  

The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 4.4 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 12, 2007 by txvtchick   view full review
I was looking for an authentic German cookie recipe so I could send my Aunt some cookies that...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.4 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 7, 2007 by Dani   view full review
This is an easy recipe to make traditional German Pfefferkuchen, or Lebkuchen. I ended up...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.4 star rating.
Reviewed on Sep. 1, 2010 by sweet_cuppin_cakes   view full review
These are delicious! I used a lemon glaze and they tasted like the ones we would buy in...
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 4.4 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 18, 2008 by WAHM of 9   view full review
This is a nice, spicy cookie that is great with coffee. I tried the first sheet without oiling...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.4 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 10, 2010 by Lindsey79   view full review
I was looking for a cake-like German gingerbread cookie recipe and these were perfect!! I...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.4 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 15, 2009 by mon   view full review
Been looking for a recipe like my grandfathers, and this is very close. I just used this...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.4 star rating.
Reviewed on Jul. 24, 2011 by Halo   view full review
Thanks for the great recipe! I made one change. I did not add any sugar, just the molasses...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.4 star rating.
Reviewed on Aug. 18, 2011 by april   view full review
I have been looking for this recipe for years. My husband was born and mostly raised in...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.4 star rating.
Reviewed on Apr. 2, 2012 by Inge   view full review
Glad to see so many reviews on these. I make them every year close to Christmas time. And...
The reviewer gave this recipe 1 stars. This recipe averages a 4.4 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 11, 2011 by bettyboo   view full review
They are not spicy enough I was very dissapointed, They need some ginger and more cinnamon.

 

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